Chapter 146 Chapter 146 Too superstitious
When Fang Bihe woke up again, he found two adorable children beside the bed, looking at him curiously with their big black and white eyes.
Seeing him suddenly open his eyes, the brother and sister were startled and took a step back, looking at him timidly.
They held hands as if to give themselves courage, but the timidity in their big eyes still betrayed their nervousness at the moment.
It seemed as if the adults who suddenly woke up scared them.
Adorable human cubs can easily soften the vigilance of adults and make them gradually relax.
Although Fang Bihe felt very uncomfortable, he still gave them a gentle smile.
He asked softly, "Dear children, who are you?"
Perhaps it was his smile that made the two children relax, or maybe it was because he looked weak, or maybe it was because this was a familiar place to them, the two children did not hide away out of fear like they usually did.
Fu Yansheng asked in a baby voice: "Uncle, who are you?"
Fu Yanhui also asked, "Why are you in my uncle's study?"
The brother and sister sometimes like to come to the study to play, flip through the enlightenment books that Fu Wenxiao made for them, or practice calligraphy on paper with a pen.
They were brought up to be very well behaved, never make trouble, and clean up after themselves if they make a mess.
Unexpectedly, when they came to the study today, they found a stranger in the study.
Fang Bihe was slightly stunned, "Uncle? Is it Fu Wenxiao?"
"Yes." The brother and sister nodded proudly.
They know their uncle's name; their grandmother taught them. They know the names of all the family members and can even write them.
Fang Bihe was stunned. Where did the prince of Zhenguo have a brother? Duke Fu and Princess Yuan'an only had one son, not another.
It's impossible for a serious man like Duke Fu to have an affair with another woman behind the eldest princess' back, right?
It is really intriguing that these two children actually call Master Fu "uncle".
He didn't think Fu Xiao was so kind-hearted that he actually raised children for others and let the two children call him uncle.
Fang Bihe was about to ask again when he saw Zhou coming in with food and a bowl of steaming medicine.
Seeing the two children here, she smiled and said, "Why are you here? We can't disturb Uncle Fang from recuperating, understand?"
The two children nodded obediently, because their grandma had come. They sat aside at ease and looked at Fang Bihe curiously.
This person appeared in my uncle's study, so he should not be a bad person.
It doesn’t matter if there are bad guys, my aunt will beat them up.
Zhou touched Fang Bihe's forehead and found that the temperature was not that high, so she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"The temperature has dropped, so it shouldn't be a problem." Zhou said to him, "Brother He, take good care of your injuries, and you should be well again soon. I'll go clean up the guest room next door, and you can stay there tonight."
The bed in the study is too simple and it is not comfortable for a grown man to sleep on it.
Fang Bihe said gratefully: "Aunt, thank you."
Zhou said, "Why are you being so polite? He'er, you are Xiao'er's friend, this is the norm."
Fang Bihe laughed and whispered, "I never knew that he actually considered me a friend."
The Fu and Fang families are indeed old friends. Their grandfathers had a very good relationship and a life-long friendship.
However, as the situation in the imperial court changed, the relationship between the two families had faded by the time of his father's generation, and by the time of his and Fu Xiao's generation, the relationship could be said to be extremely dull.
However, since they were in the same circle and saw each other every day, Fang Bihe could indeed say a few words to Master Fu from time to time, but nothing more.
Seeing the two children sitting at the desk flipping through books, Fang Bihe couldn't help but look at them and asked in a low voice: "Mammy, these two children are..."
Zhou looked at him and said calmly, "They are my grandchildren."
"Mammy's?" Fang Bihe suddenly remembered that Master Fu used to have a capable nanny, who was Zhou's son. He suddenly realized.
If that's the case, it makes sense.
Then Fang Bihe ate something and drank some medicine. He started sweating and his clothes were soaked.
Zhou brought him a set of clean clothes for him to change into.
She took the dirty clothes out and told the two children not to disturb their uncle's rest.
The two children nodded obediently.
It’s just that Fu Yanhui and his sister were very well behaved and didn’t bother them, but Fang Bihe himself was not.
He waved at them, and when the brother and sister came over with the books in their arms, he asked with a smile, "Where are your uncle and aunt?"
Fu Yan replied: "My uncle is resting in the room."
Fu Yansheng said: "My aunt went out to work and earn money to support the family."
Fang Bihe: “…”
Fang Bihe thought, are they talking the other way around? It should be Master Fu who goes out to work and earn money to support the family, and Yu Li should be at home, right?
But when I think about how Yu Li swept the enemy with a bamboo pole and robbed the ship that night, I feel a little uncertain.
He had never seen a girl as good at fighting as Yu Li, and her sister was just as good at fighting. Her strength was terrifying. When she pinned him to the ground, he felt like she was going to kill him.
He smiled and teased the two children, "Hasn't it always been the men who work outside and the women who work inside? How come your aunt is the one who earns money to support the family?"
When they heard him mention Yu Li, the two children started talking more.
"Because my aunt is awesome!"
"My little aunt can still fly."
"I'll beat up bad guys."
"Auntie is very strong, she can throw it high up..."
…………
Fang Bihe heard all about how great the young aunt was. Although he recognized Yu Li's ability, he felt that the two children were exaggerating too much.
What made him even more speechless was that he knew from the two children that Fu Wenxiao had been relying on Yu Li for support. It was really...
Master Fu is a grown man, but he actually relies on his wife for support. Isn't he ashamed?
When the two children were excitedly telling him how great their aunt was, Fu Wenxiao came over.
"Uncle, you're awake!"
The two children ran over happily, each holding one of his hands, looking up at his face to make sure if he was sick. They smiled with their little lips pursed, looking very happy.
Fu Wenxiao touched their heads and let them go play. He leisurely walked to the bed and sat down. He looked at Fang Bihe's face. It seemed that his life was saved.
Fang Bihe couldn't help but say, "I heard from your two nephews and nieces that you actually rely on your sister-in-law for support..."
"Yeah." Fu Wenxiao nodded and looked at him with an expression that said "what's the problem with that?"
Fang Bihe was almost shocked by his shamelessness. How could he have the nerve to make such an expression?
Aren't you ashamed of being supported by a woman?
No wonder he felt something was odd when he was on the boat. It turned out that after Master Fu left the capital and came to the south, he became a gigolo who relied on his wife for support.
"What's the big deal?" Fu Wenxiao didn't care. "You, a man without a wife, won't understand." Then he added, "You probably haven't gotten married yet, right?"
Fang Bihe choked and felt that he was humiliating himself.
He got angry and said, "I'm just too busy to find time to start a family. If I wanted to, I could have a bunch of kids."
He would rather lose the battle than the fight, he held his head high and was determined not to lose to this guy Fu Xiao.
Fu Wenxiao gave him a look that said "you understand".
All of this is just quibbling. A man without a wife should not try to be stubborn, as it will only make his defenseless face look too pathetic.
Fang Bihe was almost mad at him, pointing at him and saying, "You are still so annoying. If those people knew you were still alive, I'm afraid they would send assassins to kill you a few more times."
Fu Wenxiao said disdainfully: "Let them come." There was no need for the secret guards of the Duke's Mansion to take action, Li Niang could make sure they never returned.
"you……"
Fang Bihe felt a little exhausted when he saw his fearless face.
But he also knew why Fu Wenxiao was like this. Looking at him now, although his face was a little pale, he was calm and composed. It was estimated that he could continue to cause trouble for a few more decades.
It's really not easy to kill him.
Fang Bihe said: "I'm thirsty, please pour me a glass of water."
Fu Wenxiao ignored him.
However, the brother and sister who heard this took the initiative to pour water for them. Each of them brought a glass of water, one for Fang Bihe and one for Fu Wenxiao.
Fang Bihe didn't expect the two children to be so considerate. Especially when he saw them smiling shyly, his heart was softened by them.
He patted their heads and said, "Good boy!" Then he said to Fu Wenxiao, "I didn't expect you to raise such a cute child. It must be all thanks to Aunt Zhou and Sister-in-law, right?"
If this guy were to raise the two children, they would probably be raised astray by him.
Fu Wenxiao ignored him. After drinking the water, he handed the cup to the two children waiting there and patted their heads.
The two children put the cups back on the table and continued to sit there reading and learning to read, quietly and well-behaved.
Fang Bihe looked at them for a long time and whispered, "Fu Xiao, when do you plan to return to Beijing?"
Fu Wenxiao remained silent.
"Don't you... want to go back and seek justice?" He said softly, "In the past few years, the capital has not changed much, but when Duke Fu died in battle, you also died. The Fu family..."
He felt somewhat reluctant when he said this.
He didn't believe that there was no conspiracy behind what happened back then. Even though Fu Wenxiao was sitting here well now, he learned from the two children that he had been ill for a long time, and he knew that he had not had a good time in the past few years.
No wonder he has fallen to the point where he needs support from his wife.
Only Yu Li is capable, otherwise who can afford to support such a precious man?
-
In the evening, Yu Li came back.
Knowing that Zhou had already cleaned up the guest room and Fang Bihe had also moved there, she went to see him.
When she came in, Fang Bihe was still very alert. After seeing her, he smiled and said, "Sister-in-law is back. I heard that you went out to earn money to support the family today. You must have worked so hard."
Yu Li took a look at his face. Although he looked haggard, he seemed much more energetic than in the morning. It seemed that she didn't need to use her supernatural powers to keep him alive. She could just let him endure it slowly on his own.
She hummed casually, told him to have a good rest, and then left.
Fang Bihe was stunned, and just in time heard Fu Wenxiao's voice outside the door, asking about his wife's well-being.
"Ali, you're back. Are you hungry? Mom has prepared dinner."
"I'm quite hungry. I've been busy today and haven't had time to eat...Come on, let's go eat together. You can't go hungry."
"good."
Although he couldn't see it, Fang Bihe could imagine that Fu Wenxiao must be smiling at this moment, with smiles on his eyebrows and eyes. He looked gentle and kind, which made people feel friendly.
He lay there, thinking of this scene, and couldn't help laughing.
**
Fang Bihe then settled down in the Fu family.
The weather is getting colder day by day, and sometimes it even snows.
Yu Li is still busy going out every day. In addition to going to the store, he is also responsible for teaching his younger sisters to read and write, and he goes back to the village to slaughter pigs.
Yes, it’s the end of the year and time to slaughter pigs in the village.
Whenever it snows, the villagers will start slaughtering pigs to make bacon, sausages, etc. During the twelfth lunar month, even more pigs will be slaughtered for the New Year.
Yu Li did not live in the village this year, and the villagers were a little worried that she would not come back to slaughter pigs.
The village chief came to the county town specifically to find Yu Li and ask her about this.
"Li Niang, the village is going to start slaughtering pigs again. They asked you if you are going to slaughter pigs now? If you are willing to go back, they can pay for your boat fare."
It only costs eight cents for a round trip, but Yu Li charges less than the butcher in the next village when slaughtering the pig. It is still more cost-effective than hiring a butcher from the next village.
Of course, the boat fare is not a problem, but Yu Li’s current status is not ordinary.
After Fu Wenxiao passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, she became the wife of a scholar. No one had ever heard of a wife of a scholar who slaughtered pigs, as she would be looked down upon by others.
Therefore, the villagers were a little nervous and hesitant, not knowing whether she would still kill the pig, but they would not look down on her.
Yu Li nodded, "Kill them. If anyone wants to kill them, tell me and I'll go back when I have time."
Although she couldn't go back to the village every day, she could go back every few days and visit the village school.
Yu Li heard from the village chief that on the first day of the village school, Ge Yayi and others went around the village. This made the villagers dare not have any bad thoughts and they obeyed the rules of the village school set by Yu Li and Fu Wenxiao, saving a lot of trouble.
When Fu Wenxiao took out the charter for building the village school, he clearly established many rules for private schools. They were very detailed and all the problems that would be encountered were written clearly.
It can be said that he has considered everything very comprehensively. Even if people are not around, the rules are there and he can handle all kinds of situations.
Of course, there are some rules that the villagers don't like. For example, the rule that children in the village can only go to school at the age of six. They all want to send their three or four-year-old children there as well, so that there will be someone to help take care of the children, which saves a lot of effort, and they can also get a free lunch.
Of course this is not possible. The village school is meant to teach children to read and write, not to take care of your children.
Knowing that Yu Li even knew the officials in the county and that they supported her, no one dared to play any tricks anymore, and even the elders of the clan behaved themselves.
As long as there are no unexpected problems, the village school will run smoothly.
Hearing her answer, the village chief was overjoyed and asked hurriedly: "Li Niang, can you also go back when the village slaughters pigs to worship the kitchen god?"
"Can."
"Well, Qingxi Village and Qingya Village are going to hold a festival this year and would like you to help them slaughter the pigs..."
Yu Li did not refuse, "It's all right, let them set a time, and just let me know."
The village chief responded with a smile on his face and looked at Yu Li with an especially friendly look.
In fact, even if she refused, they thought it was reasonable. After all, she was a scholar's wife now, and if she didn't want to do it, everyone would understand.
But she is still willing to go back to help slaughter the pigs, which shows that she still values the village very much in her heart.
**
Since Yu Li had promised the village chief, he would not go back on his word.
While waiting for the messenger from the village to give her the news, she took out the set of butcher knives and began to sharpen them.
When Fu Wenxiao learned that she was going back to the village to slaughter pigs, he said, "I'll go back with you, so I can go teach those children."
After the village school was opened, he only went back a few times and taught a few classes.
Now that she was going back, he would go back with her and give those kids a few more lessons.
Upon hearing this, Yu Li looked up at him, then nodded in agreement.
She thought to herself, he was still so clingy, he even followed her back to the village to slaughter pigs.
Well, this is the partner she chose, so of course I have to tolerate him.
Fang Bihe, who was recuperating in the house, was completely stunned when he heard that they were going back to the village to slaughter pigs.
"Who? Who killed the pig?"
"It was my aunt who slaughtered the pig!" Fu Yansheng answered crisply, "My aunt is very good at slaughtering pigs. The pigs don't even make a sound. This is auspicious."
Fu Yan nodded, "Yes, it's auspicious, next year will be another good year."
Fang Bihe was completely confused. It was the first time he heard that killing a pig could be auspicious.
This isn't very pig-friendly, is it?
Zhou smiled and said, "How is this unlucky? When other people slaughter pigs, the pigs scream miserably, which makes people feel scared. But when our Li Niang slaughters the pigs, the pigs lie there on their own initiative, without making a sound, quietly. This is the pigs thanking Li Niang for her kindness, allowing them to face death without pain, and benefiting the villagers' hard work for a year..."
Fang Bihe looked at her blankly. It was the first time he realized that someone could lie with his eyes open.
Listen to what you are saying?
How could a pig not feel pain when it was killed? As for why the pig didn't scream, he didn't know either. He always felt that they were making up a story.
Because of Zhou and the two children, Fang Bihe easily accepted Yu Li's killing of the pigs. He was even curious: when she killed the pigs, did the pigs really not struggle or scream?
Is it so magical?
When Fu Wenxiao and Yu Li came back from the village, Fang Bihe stopped Fu Wenxiao and asked about this curiously.
Fu Wenxiao slowly brushed off the snow on his clothes, "It's true. If you see it, you will be shocked."
Fang Bihe looked at him silently, then said with great sorrow: "Brother Fu, you have changed."
Look at him, he's starting to lie with his eyes open, how much does he love his wife? He's out of his mind.
It's so terrible!
Fang Bihe thought to himself that he never expected that after a man gets married, even a cold-hearted man like Master Fu could turn into such a brainless man who is devoted to his wife.
At this time, Yu Li's voice rang out from outside: "Ah Xiao, come and change your clothes quickly. There is snow on your clothes. Don't catch a cold."
Fu Wenxiao smiled and said, "I'll be right there."
Having said that, he ignored Fang Bihe and walked out.
**
When the twelfth lunar month came, Fang Bihe was finally able to go out for a walk.
That day, seeing Yu Li and Fu Wenxiao were about to go out again, he hurriedly asked, "Are you going back to the village to kill pigs again?"
Yu Li hummed.
"I'll go with you." Fang Bihe showed a curious look, "I've never seen how a pig is slaughtered."
Yu Li looked at him and thought that this man was quite strange. He actually wanted to watch a pig being slaughtered.
She did not refuse. She couldn't let him stay in the room all the time, or he would get sick. Seeing that he was in good spirits, she agreed to let him go with her.
Fang Bihe followed them out and then took a boat back to the village.
They were on the boat of Mr. Wang, who looked at Fang Bihe curiously and asked, "Who is this gentleman..."
"He is my husband's friend." Yu Li replied.
Fu Wenxiao nodded slightly towards Wang the Duke.
Wang Yugong instantly became enthusiastic, "So he is Mr. Fu's friend, he is indeed a handsome man..."
Fang Bihe felt a little uncomfortable being treated warmly by Wang Xungong. He never expected that one day he would be treated warmly just because he was Fu Wenxiao's friend. This experience was quite novel.
When they arrived at Qingshi Village, Fang Bihe felt even more uncomfortable when he saw the enthusiastic people in the village.
These people greeted him happily one by one, and when they learned that he was Fu Wenxiao's friend, they stuffed him with some homemade food, including boiled peanuts, roasted chestnuts, and fried popcorn...
Fang Bihe was overwhelmed by the situation. When he was in the capital before, everyone was polite and no one would force food upon others like this.
Looking at Yu Li and Fu Wenxiao again, both of them accepted it well. After Fu Wenxiao received it, he gave it all to Yu Li.
Fang Bihe already knew that Yu Li had a big appetite, and several grown men could not compare to her. But the people around her seemed to accept it well, which made him feel that he was making a fuss out of nothing.
At that time, Fu Wenxiao disliked him for not being stable enough.
Fang Bihe was speechless about this man who was so clingy to his wife.
After returning to the village, Fu Wenxiao went to the village school to attend classes, while Yu Li went to slaughter a pig.
Fang Bihe hesitated for a moment and decided to go and watch Yu Li slaughter the pig.
Although he was quite surprised that Fu Wenxiao actually served as a teacher to the children in the village, this was nothing compared to the legendary nature of Yu Li slaughtering the pig. He wanted to see how auspicious this slaughtering of the pig was.
Before arriving at the place, Fang Bihe met Yu Jin.
Yu Jin went back to the village to buy food today.
This year is another year of good weather and the harvest is very good. After paying various taxes, there is still a lot of grain left. In the past, villagers would keep enough grain for themselves to eat for a year and sell the excess.
But now Yu Jin has come back to buy grain, and she pays a little more than the grain stores outside. Although it's not much, maybe a dozen cents more for a hundred kilograms of grain, the villagers are still willing to sell grain to her.
Who wouldn't want to not have to spend time and effort carrying grain to the city to sell and could make more money?
Seeing Fang Bihe, Yu Jin asked, "Hey, are you okay?"
After returning from the provincial capital, she has been busy with the business in the store. The provincial capital has a wide variety of goods, and the styles are very novel. In addition, they are labeled with the provincial capital, so many people come to buy. There are always customers in the store every day.
The popularity of this business far exceeded her expectations.
Yu Jin even thought about going to the provincial capital to purchase another batch of goods before the New Year, otherwise there would not be enough to sell.
These days, she was only thinking about making money, and had long forgotten about Fang Bihe. She would only think of him when she occasionally saw her new boat being rented out and bringing her some income.
What a nice person!
The boat can help her transport goods, and when it is not transporting goods, it can be rented out to make money. It is really great!
Fang Bihe said politely: "I'm much better now. Thank you for your concern, young lady."
"You're welcome."
Yu Jin smiled and understood when she learned that he had come back specifically to watch her sister slaughter the pig.
She said: "You will definitely not regret watching this. Others cannot kill pigs as auspiciously as my sister. If you get this auspiciousness, you will have good luck all year round."
Fang Bihe: “…”
Look at what you are saying. Isn't this too superstitious?
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